​VHR Building Permits

Building Permits for Vacation Home Rentals

In addition to a VHR Permit, building permits administered by El Dorado County's Building Services and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency may be required for amenities such as elevated decks or hot tubs.  The safety of owners and guests using vacation home rental properties is important.

If Vacation Home Rentals are identified by Code Enforcement operating without the proper required building permits, a case will be created and the owner notified of the violation and directed to obtain the proper permit(s).  Failure to obtain any required building permits may result in enforcement action taken against the owner and may jeopardize their VHR Permit. 

Decks: 

Decks elevated 30-inches or more in height off the ground are required in California to have a building permit.  The purpose of the building permit is to ensure the deck is constructed within the minimum specifications of the California Building Code to ensure essential safety factors are met such as proper footings/anchorage, safety rails, and the deck can bear the physical loads placed upon it.  Additionally, a deck of any size or height which is fastened to the dwelling is required to have a building permit.  Any deck over 200 square feet in size regardless of height and regardless if it is fastened to the dwelling requires a building permit.  If you're not sure if your deck requires a building permit or not, please call Building Services at (530) 621-5315 or visit website at https://www.edcgov.us/Government/building

Hot Tubs: 

Hot Tubs, whether "portable" or permanent, require a building permit.  The purpose of the building permit is to ensure the hot tub is installed within the minimum specifications of the California Building Code and California Electrical Code to ensure essential safety factors are met such as electrical connection, placement on a deck or surface which can withstand the weight load, and ensuring the hot tub is not beneath an egress window.  Note: If the property in located in the South Lake Tahoe Basin and the deck is installed on the ground (on a pad), there may be additional requirements relating to a TRPA (Tahoe Regency Planning Agency) review. Contact Building Services at (530) 621-5315 for more information or visit their website at https://www.edcgov.us/Government/building